Hot Hot Heat @ Koko

Important gig this as it was during pre gig drinking that “Fringey” was first conceived. The word, the concept and the way of life! And to think, it almost didn’t happen because I was absolutely dying with the evil flu that day. However lots of vodka and paracetemol got me through in the end.

We missed the first support, but saw all of the Departure, and I have to say they have dramatically improved from their support slot with the Killers last year. They’re lots tighter musically, guitarists were having a great time, and the drummer was on top form as well. The vocals were pretty good, very Paul Banks/Ian Curtis, and they even have a couple of good tunes. Unfortunately, the singer (whoever he is) is still a charisma vacuum with bitch tits and I fear they are doomed to just be the “support” forever more.

Hot Hot Heat were fabulous, lots of energy and there was constant dancing. Steve Bays - and his big curly bap - was bouncing all over the stage, when he wasn’t behind the keyboard, and was top entertainment. (The rest of the band weren’t very memorable, but then they don’t really have to be.) Yes, they aren’t original, we can all hear their XTC type influences, but with pop tunes as good as Goodnight Goodnight, You Owe me an IOU, and Bandages, who cares. They ended on Running Out of Time just as my vodka/paracetemol/adrenalin ran out and my legs went from under me. I may not have made it into work the next day.

Btw, the Koko in Camden is lovely venue, we were very impressed with its plush redness, chandeliers, multiple bars and huge glitterball.

A Most Unfringey Moment

Doves @ Brixton Academy 31/03/05

Tonight Matthew I'm going to be...UNFRINGEY.

That's right folks because tonight I'm on the guestlist with an After Show pass and everything and I am not a plus 1. Oh no my actual name is on that list - Mr Andi Williams' list to be precise - and I have my very own plus two- woooooohooooo!

And now a little confession...this is not really my own doing. This is all thanks to my cousin who happens to be a very good friend of...(yes you've gussed it)...Mr Andi Williams. But this does NOT make me a ligger just a very lucky Fringey because I love Doves. And tonight they are truly phenomenal. In fact I don't think I can do them justice in words and besides you probably want to know about the After Show right?

I had been warned that it would be wall to wall Barleys (as Doves didn't actually recognise most of the names that had been put on their guestlists) and I wasn't dissapointed - it was liggers a-go-go. Good sleb spots though with Serge & Tom Kasabian and, more importantly, Warren from this life in attendance. But best of all I got to meet Andi - I LuceFringey actually had a legitamate reason to approach a famo - hurrah!